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Corporal Stacy Walker: limited marine unit staffing keeps patrols focused on Naples Bay
Summary
At the Jan. 22 Mornings Bay Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, Naples Police Department Corporal Stacy Walker said a two-officer marine unit prioritizes Naples Bay because of higher demand; he said the chief seeks to expand the unit, and officers perform safety checks, debris removal and theft investigations when staffing allows.
Corporal Stacy Walker of the Naples Police Department told the Mornings Bay Citizens Advisory Committee on Jan. 22 that the department’s two-officer marine unit must prioritize patrols in Naples Bay over Mornings Bay because of limited staffing and higher call volume.
"With the limited manpower we have, we have to focus most of our efforts on Naples Bay," Walker said, adding that the chief supports expanding the unit and has a plan to buy another boat but a timetable is not yet set. Walker said he and another officer typically work 10½-hour shifts, each working four days a week with one overlap day, and they try to visit Mornings Bay every shift when weather permits.
Walker described enforcement standards for idle, slow and planning speeds, saying officers often judge compliance by a boat’s bow attitude: "If the bow's down, you're good. If the bow is elevated, you're not good," he said. He noted that conditions and vessel type make some judgments subjective and that civil infractions require an officer to witness the violation.
The corporal described other regular duties including on-board safety-equipment inspections during stops, removal of small floating debris when practical, and recent theft investigations. He said camera footage helped identify suspects in a rash of electronics thefts last October and December and that warrants have been issued in some cases.
Committee members asked about renter education at marinas; staff told the committee marina staff reiterate slow-speed rules and shoal locations to renters. Walker said residents have sometimes been the subjects of citations and that donated slips have allowed officers to consider leaving a boat in Moorings Bay to increase presence.
The committee thanked Walker for the briefing and asked staff to continue monitoring enforcement needs and opportunities to increase permanent presence in Mornings Bay if additional resources become available.
